Hundreds participate in Corpus Christi events at St. Francis Assisi Parish in Grapevine

North Texas Catholic

Jun 5 2013

Fr. Francis Osei, the associate pastor at St. Francis, carried the Monstrance holding Eucharist during procession. Alongside the Blessed Sacrament walked Deacons Tom Bates and M.C. Marquez, while the Knights of Columbus and other men of the parish carried the canopy. (Photo by Laura Schuckenbrock)

GRAPEVINE, TX -- Hundreds of people participated in a weeklong celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine.

The series of activities included 40 hours of continual Eucharistic Adoration May 29-31. St. Francis held a universal Holy Hour of Adoration call for by Pope Francis from 10-11 a.m. on June 2. The parish showed the live simulcast of the Vatican’s Holy Hour provided by the Eternal Word Television Network. The event at the Vatican included silent adoration, as well as musical interludes and the reading of petitions for international intentions.

Later the same afternoon, the Blessed Sacrament was paraded throughout the St. Francis campus, protected from the sun under a white canopy made by parishioner Rita Gehlsen. Fr. Francis Osei, the associate pastor at St. Francis, carried the Monstrance holding Eucharist. Alongside the Blessed Sacrament walked Deacons Tom Bates and M.C. Marquez, while the Knights of Columbus and other men of the parish carried the canopy. The procession began with a group of altar servers, with the lead-off acolyte carrying a crucifix. Others rang bells and turned incense, while a group of first communicants spread flower petals to prepare the way for the Blessed Sacrament.

A crowd of more than 200 people followed the Eucharist. The group included a host of children, some in floor-length gowns and others in strollers.

St. Francis had a group of about 30 parishioners directly involved in organizing the events, led by Josephina Crane. Crane also oversees the Adoration program at St. Francis.

“Corpus Christiis a celebration honoring the Body and Blood of Jesus, His presence, and witnessing Him [to others],” Crane said. “This is worldwide. It’s in unity with the Pope.”

Following the event, Crane credited a number of people with making the weekend a success, including John Gawrys, the business manager for St. Francis; Michele Meny, the parish’s director of adult formation; Rosie Rodriguez, coordinator of hispanic ministry; Ofelia Armstrong, Rosemarie Mindt; Lewina Hui, Herm Barringhaus, Kevin Pichon, Leigh Waltersheid, Victor Rodriguez, and Willy Munoz.

Crane said she was also appreciative of the radio promotion of the weekend activities by Dave Palmer at KATH 910 AM.

GRAPEVINE, TX -- Hundreds of people participated in a weeklong celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ-or Corpus Christi in Latin-at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grapevine.